MOØ231 Sustainable energy: Technology, management and governance

Contents and structure

MOØ 231 Renewable Energy - technology, management and governance is one of three elective courses preparing students for their forthcoming masters' thesis. In each course, students develop an academic resarch proposal partly based upon thematics from their elective course. the course is mainly organised as seminars with active student participation. In addition to seminars, the course includes lectures, excursions to companies, and invited guest lecturers. 

The knowledge content of this course covers technology, management and governance for renewable energy and sustainable production. . In the course local level innovation activities are linked up with broader national and supranational strategies for realising the shift from fossile to renewable energy sources. Energy is the backbone of our economies, and the energy systems of the world are in flux. The drivers of change are a combination of the need for more affordable and reliable energy, technological innovations and the anxieties of global warming. New technologies are emerging within a range of energy sectors, requiring and releasing changes of supporting infrastructure and regulatory systems.

In the course, comparative studies from national, regional and global level will be important. Diffrent energy sources will be discussed in both their technological aspects as well as regulative, socioeconomic and market-related aspects. The basic idea for the course is twofold: 1: to connect technological issues with the broader social, organizational and environmental context and impact; and 2: to connect the micro- management of local firms and enterprises to the macro-governance of national and supranational government agencies. What regulatory mechanisms are favourable for realising the shift form fossil to renewable energy sources? How can the shift to renewable energy be reconciled with various political, economic, social and environmental concerns?

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

On completion of the course, the student has advanced knowledge of:

• The main sources and technologies for energy supply in Norway, Europe and on the global level.
• Technological background of renewable energy sources
• Innovations for renewable energy.
• Technology management and governance
• Drivers and barriers for the shift from fossile to renewable energy
• Different regulatory instruments for facilitating technological innovation and change.
• Historical development of the Norwegian energy sector and its impact for climate change and other environmental issues

Skills

On completion of the course the student can:

• carry out data collection with the necessary skills for conducting critical research on energy, energy technology, innovation, regulative systems and climate change relevance.
• analyse energy technology, regulative systems and climate change relevance.
• analyse the impact of regulatory systems on innovative capacities.

Competence

On completion of the course the student:

• can participate in consultancy work in the areas of energy, relevant technology, regulation and management.
• can communicate relevant topics to both specialists and non-specialists.
• knows when further expertise is necessary, and where it can be found.
• knows relevant conditions under which energy and technology should be analysed in a broader context.

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

Completion of first and second semesters of the Masters' programme in Innovation and Management.

Teaching methods

The most important success factor is self-study and participating in organised seminars with student presentations. Self-study and active participation in seminars is important in order to benefit from course readings and assignments. This will be complemented by traditional lectures, visits to companies and invited guest lecturers.  

Compulsory learning activities

Each student must give one oral presentation of at least one academic research article / book chapter and / or  masters thesis in the seminar. In addition, students are expected to present drafts of their academic research proposals and comment upon the drafts of fellow students. 

Course requirements are valid in the examination semester and 3 following semesters.

Assessment

One term paper in the form of a written group assignment (maximum 2 students pr group) (100% of the final assessment).

Grading scale is A-F where F is fail.

Examination support material

None

More about examination support material